Description
Immerse yourself in the festive spirit with these Italian Holiday Bites, perfect for sweetening any celebration. These cookies blend the aromatic flavors of almond and vanilla with a hint of lemon zest, creating a delightful treat that captures the essence of the holidays. This recipe not only offers a delicious dessert option but also a fun, engaging way to involve friends and family in holiday preparations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup softened butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest (optional)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk (or water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract for icing
- Food coloring (red, green, or any festive colors)
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and optional lemon zest until smooth.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients to form a dough.
- Roll dough into small balls, place on baking sheets, and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow cookies to cool before transferring to wire racks.
- Mix powdered sugar with milk or water for icing, divide into bowls, add food coloring, and decorate cookies.
- Dip cooled cookies in icing, decorate with sprinkles, and let icing set before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch